Dedicated wireless digital video disc (DVD) controller for video game consoles

ABSTRACT

There is provided a wireless system for a video game console having at least one of an Infrared (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver, and further having at least two operation modes including (i) a first game mode capable of playing video games and (ii) a second entertainment mode capable of playing DVD videos. The wireless system includes a dedicated DVD remote control transmitter and a wireless game controller. The dedicated DVD remote control transmitter has DVD player function control buttons and is incapable of controlling all of the game functions of the video game console. The dedicated remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits DVD player control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver for controlling the DVD player functions of the video game console when in the second entertainment mode. The wireless game controller wirelessly transmits game control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver to control a game being played when the video game console is in the first game mode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/049,311, filed Feb. 2, 2005, which is a Continuation of U.S.Pat. No. 6,910,966 issued on Jun. 28, 2005, which is a Continuation ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,786,822 issued on Sep. 7, 2004, which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,441 issued on May 20, 2003,which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,440 issued on May20, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to console video gaming systems, and moreparticularly, to a wireless digital video disc (DVD) controller andinterface for console video gaming systems capable of playing othermedia such as DVDs.

2. Description of the Related Art

The new age of console video game systems now includes an additionalfeature of playing digital video discs (DVDs). “DVD” may also be used todescribe digital versatile discs, which include digital video discs.This feature gives the console game system a dual function of playingvideo games and DVD's at the user's choice. Thus, the video game consolecapable of playing DVDs can now be integrated into a home entertainmentsystem for more than just video game playing. One example of suchconsole video game system is the Sony Playstation® II which is expectedto be available in the U.S. retail market later this year. It is alsobelieved that other manufacturers will incorporate this dual functionability in the near future.

The Playstation® II includes two game controller ports for receiving twogame controllers for use in operating the games. In addition, the DVDfunctions of the Playstation® II are also controlled through the use ofone of the two game controllers (e.g., controller No. 1). Variousbuttons on the game controller can be used to control various playingfeatures of the DVD being viewed.

Generally, the game console with wired controllers is proximate to thetelevision it is connected to. Thus, the primary drawback to the gameconsole that can play DVDs is that the game controller must be pluggedinto the game console in order to control the DVD functions. Thus, thewired “remote” control (i.e., game controller) for the DVD functions ofthe game console is a significant limitation on the user's ability tosit back and enjoy a DVD without either having the game console withwired “remote” near the sitting area for viewing the television, orbeing required to get up each time a DVD player control function isdesired. This is especially a drawback when the video game console isconnected to, and is part of the user's audio/video entertainmentsystem.

A wireless game controller such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,605,505 may be implemented to eliminate this problem of a wiredcontroller, however, the button designations of the wireless gamecontroller will not necessarily correspond with that of the wiredcontroller for this system, nor will they correspond in function orposition with the designated control functions of the DVD player. Assuch, the user is required to learn the game controller button symbolsand/or letters that control the various functions of the DVD player ofthe device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems stated above, as well as other related problems of theprior art, are solved by the present invention, which is directed to awireless system for a video game console.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a wireless system for a video game console having at leastone of an InfraRed (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver,and further having at least two operation modes including (i) a firstgame mode capable of playing video games and (ii) a second entertainmentmode capable of playing DVD videos. The wireless system includes adedicated DVD remote control transmitter and a wireless game controller.The dedicated DVD remote control transmitter has DVD player functioncontrol buttons and in incapable of controlling all of the gamefunctions when the console is in the second entertainment mode. Thededicated remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits DVD playercontrol commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiverfor controlling the DVD player functions of the video game console whenin the second entertainment mode. The wireless game controllerwirelessly transmits game control commands to at least one of the IRreceiver and the RF receiver to control a game being played when thevideo game console is in the first game mode.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should bemade to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elementsthroughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wireless adapter device according toa first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 a is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 b is a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 a is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to thesecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 b is a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to thesecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the dedicated wireless DVD controller for usewith the game console wireless adapter according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary game console that utilizes thededicated DVD controller of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 a is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to thethird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 b is a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to thethird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter deviceaccording to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to thefourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapterdevice according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to thefifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a universal remote control having the dedicatedDVD control functions of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary wireless game controllerusable with the dedicated DVD controller wireless adapter according toan embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 a and 2 b, there is shown a wirelessadapter/receiver 10 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. Adapter 10 includes a body 12, a male plug 14 on one end forconnection to a game controller port 70 a and/or 70 b of a game console60 (FIG. 6) and an infrared (IR) receiver 16 opposite plug 14. Anindicator light 18 is included for indicating when IR receiver 16 isreceiving an IR transmission from an IR transmitter (discussed withreference to FIG. 5).

Adapter 10 converts the game controller port 70 a or 70 b or othercommunication port of a video game console 60 into a wireless receivercapable of receiving and inputting control commands into the gameconsole. In accordance with the present invention, the adapter/receiver10 receives the wireless signals from the remote control 50 (FIG. 5) andconverts the wireless signals into electrical signals for input into thegame console. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the wirelesslytransmitted and received control commands are exclusively the commandsnecessary to control the DVD or other non-game media playing functionsof the game console.

According to one embodiment, adapter/receiver 10 uses one gamecontroller port 70 a or 70 b of the game console 60 (FIG. 6). As such,when adapter/receiver 10 is in its operable position within the gamecontroller port, the used game controller port is no longer availablefor use with a game controller.

The game console 60 of FIG. 7 is capable of playing other entertainmentmedia such as DVDs and audio compact discs (e.g., Sony Playstation II®)and also includes various other communication ports such as universalserial bus (USB) ports 72 a and 72 b, an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port 74 andalso includes a PCMCIA slot 75 for receiving a PCMCIA card. It iscontemplated herein that any one of these additional ports or PCMCIAslot may also be used to provide the necessary interface for a wirelesscontroller. For example, one of the two (2) USB ports may be used toconnect a wireless adapter that is capable of receiving and providingcontrol data to the game console and thereby control the various gameplaying and other media playing features associated with the gameconsole. The use of a PCMCIA card adapted to provide a wirelessinterface with the game console may also be readily implemented in thismanner. The FireWire™ port of the game console is a dedicated highbandwidth port that provides an increased capacity data communicationport for data streaming into and out of the game console. This port canprovide a very fast and reliable communication connection with the gameconsole, and as such, is also a prime candidate for receiving a wirelessadapter as suggested by the present invention.

Since the game console is designed to use a game controller as the DVDplayer controller, the buttons on the game controller corresponding tothe DVD player functions have game controller symbols and not DVD playersymbols. In this configuration, the user is required to identify thevarious game controller buttons according to their DVD functions, eitherthrough the use of a printed chart, or through navigable menus on thedisplay screen. This is not only inconvenient for the user, but is alsoconfusing. As shown in FIG. 5, the dedicated DVD controller 50 of thepresent invention provides the user with a standard type DVD playerremote control, where the game controller symbols are no longer visibleto the user, and the corresponding buttons for activating DVD playerfunctions are similar, if not identical, to those buttons the user wouldordinarily associate with the DVD player functions. The buttons of thededicated DVD controller 50 have identifying indicia representative ofthe corresponding function, in addition to including indicia disposedadjacent the buttons where appropriate. By way of example, thesefunctions include play, pause, on screen display (osd), stop/exit, mainmenu, DVD menu, confirm/accept/ok, back to previous chapter, skip tonext chapter, rewind, fast forward, toggle subtitles, toggle soundoptions, and a D-pad for use in navigating menus, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, controller 50 is a wirelessinfrared transmitter capable of transmitting only those predeterminedgame controller commands that control the various DVD player functionsof the game console. Since the game console can also play audio CDs,those media playing functions may also be controlled by the dedicatedremote control 50 according to the invention. Table 1 represents oneembodiment of the button configuration of controller 50 as theycorrespond to the game controller buttons (and corresponding buttonsymbols) that would be found on the wired game controller. Those ofordinary skill will recognize that the dedicated DVD controller buttondesignations may be changed without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. TABLE 1 Wired Game Controller Dedicated Wirelessbutton symbol DVD controller button Start Play and Pause Select OnScreen Display (OSD) X-button Stop/Exit Square Button Main Menu TriangleDVD Menu Circle Confirm/Accept/OK L1-Button Back to Previous ChapterL2-Button Rewind L3-Button Toggle Subtitles R1-Button Skip to NextChapter R2-Button Fast Forward R3-Button Toggle Sound Options ‘D’-PadCycle through on screen menus

When wireless adapter/receiver 10 is inserted into one of thecommunication ports of the game console, it is configured to receiveonly DVD player function control signals from controller 50, and therebyinput such commands directly into the game console. Adapter 10 andcontroller 50 are not adapted to be used for any game playing functionsof the game console. The power provided to controller 50 is generallyprovided by replaceable batteries, and the power needed to operateadapter 10 is provided either from the game console itself through thecommunication port, or through replaceable and/or rechargeablebatteries.

FIGS. 3, 4 a and 4 b show a wireless adapter 30 according to a secondembodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, adapter 30 includes anadditional female game controller port 20. As described with referenceto the first embodiment, male plug 14 is inserted into the gamecontroller port of the game console. The added female game controllerport 20 allows the wired game controller (not shown) to be plugged intothe adapter while maintaining the IR communication between the adapterand the dedicated DVD controller.

It is to be understood that the use of IR wireless protocol as describedherein is only one exemplary embodiment, and those of ordinary skillwill recognize that other wireless protocol may be used such as, forexample, radio frequencies (RF) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,849,which is incorporated herein by reference.

The video game console is capable of detecting the type of disc insertedand automatically switching into that operating mode. For example, whena DVD is inserted into the game console, the game console automaticallyswitches to DVD player mode and stands by for input DVD playing controlcommands from the game controller port. Thus, there is no requirement bythe user to set the game console into DVD mode, or otherwise. Uponinsertion of a DVD, the dedicated DVD controller of the presentinvention becomes immediately live and active for use in controlling theDVD functions of the game console.

In a further embodiment of the invention, remote control 50 will be auniversal programmable remote control so that it may also be used tocontrol other specified components of the user's entertainment system.Thus, additional buttons and functions such as volume control, powercontrol, etc. can be added to remote 50 without departing from the scopeof the present invention. Examples of these programmable features can befound in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,735, 5,629,868 and 5,410,326, the entirecontents of each incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 13 shows anexample of a universal remote control 200 having a plurality of buttonsand a display screen for aiding in the indication of the currentoperation mode of the remote control. When the pre-determined code forthe dedicated DVD player control of the video game console is selected,the various buttons corresponding to that control mode are activated.Once activated, the universal remote control 200 can control thededicated DVD player functions of the video game console.

In addition, it is contemplated that universal remote control 200 willinclude both IR and RF transmission capability. In this manner,universal remote 200 will operate in both IR and/or RF modes dependingon the programmed code and the device being controlled.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary game console 60 that utilizes the dedicatedDVD controller according to the present invention. Game console 60includes a media drawer 66, an on/off reset button 62, an open/closebutton 64, memory slots 68 a and 68 b, game controller ports 70 a and 70b, and other communication ports such as, for example, Universal SerialBus (USB) ports 72 a and 72 b, an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port 74 and aPCMCIA slot 75.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the invention, memory slots68 a and 68 b, and the other communication ports 72 a, 72 b, 74 and 75can also be used to connect the wireless adapter and provide dedicatedDVD controls for the game console 60. FIGS. 7-12 shows the variousdifferent embodiments of the wireless adapter of the present invention.

In other contemplated embodiments, console 60 includes wireless receivercapability through the implementation of IR and/or RF. An IR window 63and/or RF antenna 65 (external or internal) will allow the console 60 toreceive game and/or non-game controls from an outside source. Thus, inthis embodiment, the remote control device 60 or the universal remotecontrol device 200 need only be programmed for the non-game mediaplaying modes of the game console 60 and the need for the wirelessadapter is eliminated.

FIGS. 7, 8 a and 8 b show an example of a memory slot wireless adapter70 having a body 72, a male plug end 74 on one end for connection to oneof the memory slots 68 a and 68 b, and a female plug end 76 forreceiving a memory card that is otherwise inserted into the memory slot68 a or 68 b when adapter 70 is inserted therein. The IR window 16 andindicator light 18 are the same as described previously. In accordancewith one embodiment, adapter 70 includes an RF antenna 75 for receivingRF wireless signals when IR is not desired, and may also include aninternal memory (not shown) that enables it to provide memory functionsfor the game console via the memory slot which adapter 70 is connected.Female plug end 76 is an optional feature that gives the used memoryslot back to the user and may be provided depending on the configurationof the adapter 70.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example of a USB wireless adapter 90 according toanother embodiment of the invention. As shown, adapter 90 includes ahousing 92, a male USB plug end 94 and a female USB plug end 96 forgiving the utilized USB port back to the user. According to an RFembodiment, adapter 90 includes and RF antenna 95 and associatedcircuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter 90 and thegame controller (not shown).

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a wireless adapter 100 according to yet anotherembodiment of the invention. Adapter 100 includes a housing 102, a maleIEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end 94 and a female IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plugend 106 for giving the utilized FireWire™ port to the user. According toan RF embodiment, adapter 100 includes an RF antenna 105 and associatedcircuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter 100 and thegame controller (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the circuitry contained within adapters 10,30, 70, 90 and 100 is powered by obtaining such power from the consolethrough the respective communication ports. In other embodiments, theadapters can contain their own battery power that can be rechargeable orreplaceable batteries.

FIG. 14 shows a wireless controller 202 which can have an IR transmitter204 and/or an RF transmitter designated by antenna 206. Wirelesscontroller 202 can provide wireless game control signals to the gameconsole 60 via the wireless adapter 30,70, 90 and/or 100 that is usedfor the dedicated DVD remote control transmitter 50 or the universalremote control 200. In this embodiment, wireless controller 202 canoperate using the same wireless protocol as the dedicated remote controldevice 50 or universal remote controller 200, or alternatively, canoperate using a different wireless protocol as that used in the remotecontrollers 50, 200. For example, the remote controllers 50, 200 can useIR to operate with the wireless adapter, while wireless controller 202utilizes RF to communicate with the wireless adapter. Those of skill inthe art will recognize that other wireless protocols can be implementedwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novelfeatures of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes inthe form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation,may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that allcombinations of those elements and/or method steps which performsubstantially the same function in substantially the same way to achievethe same results are within the scope of the invention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

1. A wireless system for a video game console having at least one of anInfrared (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver, and furtherhaving at least two operation modes including (i) a first game modecapable of playing video games and (ii) a second entertainment modecapable of playing DVD videos, the wireless system comprising: adedicated DVD remote control transmitter having DVD player functioncontrol buttons and whose primary purpose is for controlling the secondentertainment mode of the video game console, said dedicated DVD remotecontrol transmitter wirelessly transmitting DVD player control commandsto at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver for controllingthe DVD player functions of the video game console when in said secondentertainment mode.
 2. The wireless system according to claim 1, whereinsaid dedicated DVD remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits theDVD player control commands to the IR receiver.
 3. The wireless systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said dedicated DVD remote controltransmitter wirelessly transmits the DVD player control commands to theRF receiver
 4. A wireless system for a video game console having atleast one of an Infrared (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF)receiver and further having at least two operation modes including (i) afirst game mode capable of playing video games and (ii) a secondentertainment mode capable of playing DVD videos, the wireless systemcomprising: a universal remote controller for wirelessly controlling aplurality of different controllable devices including wirelesslytransmitting DVD player control commands to at least one of the IRreceiver or the RF receiver of the video game console when in saidsecond entertainment mode, said universal remote controller beingincapable of controlling all the game functions of the video gameconsole and further having a code set corresponding to the secondentertainment mode of the video game console, said universal remotehaving a primary purpose of controlling the second entertainment mode ofthe video game console when the video game console is in said secondentertainment mode.
 5. The wireless system according to claim 4, whereinsaid universal remote control further comprises: a memory for storing atleast one code set corresponding to at least one brand of controllabledevices including the code set for controlling the second entertainmentmode of the video game console; and a plurality of buttons for providingaccess to any one of the at least one code set and enabling an operationmode for controlling a selected controllable device, said plurality ofbuttons including DVD player function control buttons for controllingthe DVD player functions of the video game console when operating in thesecond entertainment mode.
 6. The wireless system according to claim 4,wherein said universal remote controller wirelessly transmits the DVDplayer control commands to the game console IR receiver.
 7. The wirelesssystem according to claim 4, wherein said universal remote controllerwirelessly transmits the DVD player control commands to the game consoleRF receiver.
 8. A wireless system for a video game console having atleast one communication port including game controller ports and atleast two operation modes including (i) a first game mode capable ofplaying video games and (ii) a second entertainment mode capable ofplaying DVD videos, the wireless system comprising: a wireless receiverhaving one end configured for insertion into one of said at least one ofsaid communication ports of the video game console; and a dedicated DVDremote control transmitter having DVD player function control buttonsand having a primary purpose of controlling the video game console whenoperating in said second entertainment mode, said dedicated DVD remotecontrol transmitter wirelessly transmitting DVD player control commandsto said wireless receiver for controlling DVD player functions of thevideo game console when in said second entertainment mode.
 9. Thewireless system according to claim 8, further comprising wirelesscommunication protocol for communicating the DVD player control commandsfrom said dedicated DVD remote control transmitter to said receiver,said wireless receiver converting received DVD player control commandsinto electrical signals for input into the one of said at least onecommunication port of the video game console.
 10. The wireless systemaccording to claim 8, wherein said at least one of said communicationports comprises one selected from a group consisting of a gamecontroller port, a memory slot, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, aFireWire™ port and a PCMCIA slot.
 11. The wireless system according toclaim 8, wherein said wireless receiver further comprises an additionalcommunication port corresponding to the at least one communication portin which the wireless receiver is inserted, said additionalcommunication port providing the user with access to the at least onecommunication port being utilized by the wireless receiver.
 12. Thewireless system according to claim 9, wherein said wirelesscommunication protocol comprises infrared (IR).
 13. The wireless systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said wireless communication protocolcomprises radio frequency (RF).
 14. The wireless system according toclaim 8, wherein said wireless receiver obtains power from the gameconsole via said at least one communication port.